SSL 8 - Deut. 4:1-9 - Honored
INTRODUCTON: Today we move into the second segment of our study with the Book of Deuteronomy. The name comes from the Latin word "deuteronomium," literally the "second law," from deuteros "second" + nomos "law". It was written in the fortieth year after the exodus, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month. A new generation of Israelites was about to enter the Promised Land. This multitude had not experienced the miracle at the Red Sea or heard the law given at Sinai, and they were about to enter a new land with many dangers and temptations. The book of Deuteronomy was given to remind them of God's law and God's power. For the most part, the Book of Deuteronomy is a recounting by Moses of the events that led Israel to the banks of the Jordan River, ready to cross and take the land that God has promised them. Moses recounts: (1) the covenant promises God made at Sinai (Ex. 19-24 generally); (2) the appointment of tribal leaders (Ex. 18:13-27); (3) their shameful refusal to enter the Promised Land (Num. 13:1-33); (4) the penalty they suffered for their rebellion (Num. 14:20-45); (5) the events of their wandering in the wilderness (Ex. 16ff); and (6) their defeat of Kings Sihon and Og in the Trans-Jordan (Num. 21:21-35). It also covers (1) God's judgment that Moses would not enter the Promised Land; (2) that he would be allowed to see it from the top of a mountain; and (3) that he was commanded to support Joshua as God's chosen leader to take Israel into the Promised Land (Deut. 3:26-28).
Read Deut. 4:1-2 - LISTEN TO THE STATUTES AND ORDINANCES
1 "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
v.1a: "Now, O Israel" - This phrase connects what Moses had said in Chapters 1-3 (summarized above), which could be paraphrased, "Given all that I've just described about your past history, you people need to listen very carefully to the rest of what I have to say to you."
v. 1b: "listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform" - Moses will provide all the details of these statutes and ordinances in Chapters 5-26. These are the laws given by the LORD (Yahweh) that the Israelites (later Jewish) people are expected to observe. In this chapter, however, Moses is not outlining specific laws but emphasizing the importance of what would become know as the "Mosaic Law" to the future of the Israelite/Jewish people.
v. 1c: "so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you." - This phrase reminds them that they live in a covenant relationship with the LORD-a covenant initially made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:18) and renewed with Moses at Sinai (Ex. 19-24). In that covenant God promised to give Israel the land of Canaan and Israel promised to obey God, which now translates to obeying the statues and ordinances laid down in Ex. 19 and repeated in Deut. 5-26. However, if the Israelites fail to keep their part of the covenant-keeping the statues and ordinances-then the LORD will no longer be obligated to give them the land of Canaan.
TRUTH 1: Like the ancient Israelites, we are in a covenant relationship with God. The Israelites lived in a covenant relationship with God under which God promised to give them the land of Canaan and they promised to obey God's commandments. As Christians, we are under a New Covenant relationship between God and humanity that has been mediated by Jesus Christ and now includes all people, both Jew and Gentile alike, who are saved by grace alone by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
v. 2: "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you" - Moses will reiterate this prohibition later in 12:32. This general principle is even valid today in the modern law of contracts: that the parties to the contract aren't allowed to modify or delete any of the terms and conditions of a contract unless all parties mutually agree. But God is never changing, isn't He? The Psalmist said it this way: Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven (Ps. 119:89). So a covenant with God never changes, correct? A similar provision may be found in Rev. 20:18-19: I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Thus, writings like the Koran and the Book of Mormon, are null and void according to God's law of contracts. They are meaningless and useless for any practical purposes.
TRUTH 2: Because God never changes, His Word never changes. In the verse above, Moses stated a basic principal of contract law to the effect that the parties to contract cannot modify or delete any of the terms and conditions of the contract (or covenant) unless all parties mutually agree. However, since God never changes and never breaks a promise, His word is like Him, eternal and never changing. Rev. 20:18-19 applies the same principle to the New Testament: nothing may be added to it or subtracted from it.
Read Deut. 4:3-5 - CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO KEEP THE COVENANT
3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed them from among you. 4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you. 5 "See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it.
vv. 3-4: "Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed them from among you. 4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you." - This incident was reported in Num. 25:1-9, after the story of Balaam and the donkey. When the Israelites were in the plains of Moab, many of men had relations with Moabite women who enticed them to worship Baal-Peor, a pagan god the Moabites worshiped at Mount Peor. To punish them, God thereafter sent a plague that took the lives of 24,000 people. As a vivid illustration of the consequences of disobedience, Moses reminds them that the LORD God of Israel destroyed all those who had followed the false god Baal-Peor but that all who "held fast," that is, remained faithful to the one true God, were still alive.
v. 5: "See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it." - The Israelites were about to invade a land-Canaan-that was a virtual cesspool of all manner of pagan beliefs and deities, and the Israelites were not only to conquer it but expunge every trace of the false deities and establish the statutes and judgments of the LORD God.
Read Deut. 4:6-9 - KEEP THE LORD GOD'S LAWS
6 So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God when-ever we call on Him? 8 Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? 9 "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.
v. 6: "So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'" - Here, Moses adds another compelling reason for obedience-to gain the respect of surrounding nations, which would offer at least two significant benefits: (1) If another nation views Israel to be a "great nation" that's inhabited by a "wise and understanding people," they will be less likely to attack and instead, be inclined to treat it with respect; and (2) a missional impact, in which the higher moral status of Israel would bear witness to the LORD, because people from the surrounding nations would be aware that Israel worshiped the one true God, and Him only-and their respect for Israel would translate to reverence for the LORD.
v. 7: "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him?" - There is something in the depths of the human soul that seeks to know God. Even atheists often have beliefs and personal philosophies that take on the character of a religion. As the English writer and theologian G. K. Chesterson said, "When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing-they believe in everything. The Israelites could see this at work in the nations around them-mysterious and capricious gods represented by inanimate idols with whom people had no personal relationship, yet, they invested time and energy to worship these false deities because their hearts yearned for that which the Israelites had in truth. Moses reminds the Israelites that they are privileged, not only to worship the one true God, but to have access to God "whenever we call on Him." They could know God's will by examining His commandments and come into His presence any time, day or night, by kneeling in prayer. He's transcendent over all things but at the same time, very near and personal.
v. 8: "Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?" - It isn't often that we stop to truly consider and appreciate the value of a nation of good laws-and they are truly considerable. The United States is truly blessed to have a legal system built on the Constitution, which was designed and drawn by a godly group of men. To the extent we are a great nation (and we are), our greatness is founded on a great Constitution, which, if reformatted into 12 point, single-space type, the basic articles of government (without the 27 amendments) would be only ten pages long. Amazing, yes? Yet, the nation of Israel was even more blessed because the Israelites built their nation on the foundation of the Torah-God-given laws. These laws were not given to repress them but to free them from the anguish and consequences associated with wrong decisions and disobedient living. The Psalmist described it like this: 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Ps. 19:7-11.
TRUTH 3: The nation of Israel was privileged to be built upon a foundation of God-given laws. These OT laws are referred to as the Torah. God did not give these laws to repress them but to free them from the anguish and consequences associated with wrong decisions and disobedient living. As NT Christians, we are truly privileged and blessed to live in a nation with a legal system built on a Constitution designed by godly men, which protects both our freedom to worship and our freedom to express the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We owe much to the people who have given their lives in service to this nation to preserve these freedoms.
v. 9a: "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life;" - The point Moses is making, which is equally relevant to you and me today, is that without remembrance, faith soon fades and dies away. It's all too easy to be distracted by the everyday concerns of life that we simply forget to remember. Moses warns against this by calling the Israelites to remember their history-what they have seen-so that they might keep their faith alive in their hearts. God called them to remember to remember all that He had done for them and promises to bless them if they did but punish them if they didn't (Deut. 8:18-19). To refresh their memories, God established numerous provisions, such as: (1) by foregoing leavened bread during the Passover (Ex. 13:3ff) so "that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth" (Ex. 13:19). (2) To "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" by foregoing work (Ex. 20:8ff). (3) To wear a fringe on their garments "that you may look on it and remember all the commandments of the LORD" (Num. 15:39). For Christians, the NT prescribes special days, such as: (1) Coming together to worship on the Lord's Day-Sunday; (2) observing special days like Christmas and Easter; and (3) maybe the greatest encourager, the Lord's Supper, where Jesus says "Do this often in memory of Me" (1 Cor. 11:24).
TRUTH 4: Like the Ancient Israelites, we need to remember to remember all that God has done for us. Without remembrance, faith soon fades and dies away. It's very easy to be so distracted by the everyday concerns of life that we simply forget to remember. On the other hand, God graciously gives us many opportunities to keep our memories fresh, for example: (1) Coming together frequently and regularly in church for worship, prayer, and fellowship; (2) observing special days and participating in fellowship activities and (3) giving generously and serving without hesitation in various ministries both inside and outside the church.
v. 9b: "but make them known to your sons and your grandsons." - The Israelites considered children to be a great blessing, and they went to great lengths to orient children in the proper role in relation to their family, their nation, and God. A case in point is the story in Lk. 2:25-35 where Joseph and Mary bring the baby Jesus to the Temple 40 days after his birth to be blessed and dedicated to the LORD in accordance with Mosaic Law.
TRUTH 5: The church is always just one generation away from extinction. What this tells us, as NT Christians, is that the Christian education of children is vital. If we fail to teach our children to know and love Jesus Christ as Lord, we will not only lose our grandchildren but all the generations that follow them. One of the problems in churches today is that Biblical instruction of children-what I would call right teaching-has been relegated to backseat status and replaced with things to simply entertain or occupy them while the grownups are in church. This is a huge mistake. The failure to teach children the Bible is one of the reasons that mainline denominations are in decline. Churches that fail to teach their children the Bible will wither away and the failure to teach children the Bible amounts to what I would call Christian malpractice. Whether you're teaching senior adults, main-stream adults, young adults, youth, or children, there is simply no substitute for teaching the Bible.
PRAYER: Our Father in heaven, we thank You first for the love, mercy, and grace You constantly show toward us, both as individual Christian believers and as a Church. We thank You also, dear God, for bringing all of us together this morning to study and learn from Your Word. We ask, Lord, that You will use what we learn from Your Word to strengthen us and to bind us together in love and move us forward in unity as we strive together to build Your church and accomplish the mission you've given us-to be a light in this community. We talked this morning about this great nation-the United States-We are so fortunate to live and worship here. We ask you, LORD, to bring revival to this nation. We pray for a Great Awakening that will sweep across this land from shore to shore and add millions of people to Your Kingdom. We pray that we can once again call ourselves one nation under God. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our precious Lord and Redeemer, AMEN.
